Punky Meadows & Frank DiMino of ANGEL @Count’s Vamp’d 6-15-18

PUNKY MEADOWS and FRANK DIMINO LIVE AT COUNT VAMP’D

by: Jay Rice

Friday night June 15th will go down as one of the greatest Rock & Roll moments of my life, seeing Punky Meadows and Frank DiMino together again, playing an all Angel set at the legendary Count’s Vamp’d in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a successful series of East Coast shows that reached New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, the guys moved their talents to the West for another round of high energy Rock & Roll.

Hitting the stage with “On The Rocks” from 1977’s classic album “On Earth As it Is In Heaven”, Punky and Frank, along with fellow band mates Danny Farrow (rhythm guitar), Steve E. Ojane (bass), Charlie Calv (keyboards) and Billy Orrico (drums), raised the crowd level to 10 with Frank’s soaring vocals and Punky’s melting licks that were only matched by the gleaming smiles on both of their faces as they enjoyed the immediate love and approval of their adoring fans. Fans whose dreams were answered after so many years of wanting and praying to hear Live Angel music again. Wasting no time they followed up with another “On Earth” gem, “Can You Feel It” and “Wild and Hot”, from their last studio album, 1979’s “Sinful”.

Offering a full Angel set that covered all 5 studio albums along with selected solo numbers, the band offered up such classics as “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” from 1978’s masterpiece “White Hot”, “Bad Time”, “The Fortune”, as well as playing for the first time ever Live on this tour “Cast The First Stone”, and a terrific cover of Mott The Hoople’s Bowie written classic “All The Young Dudes”, showing why classic rock is not dead and Live music is alive and well.

In addition to the classics, the guys delivered terrific performances of “Straight Shooter”, from Punky’s 2016 Billboard charting album, “Fallen Angel”, and “Rockin’ In The City” and “Never Again” from Frank’s brilliant solo release, 2015’s “Old Habits Die Hard”, solidifying why Frank DiMino is one of the greatest singers in music today. Punky was on fire and shredding away with such passion and energy, it makes one wonder why Angel was never appreciated more. They were, and still are one of the most underrated bands of all time! Closing out this stellar 17 song set list with “Feeling Right” from 1976’s “Helluva’ Band” you can see why the fans are filling up the venues to see the best show of the year! This band rocks as well as anyone out there today and are only getting better and better with each performance. The band are not hired guns for play, they are all fans who love Angel and they are having the times of their lives bringing these classics to life again for the roaring, enthusiastic packed crowds.

But the night wasn’t over yet, returning to the stage for the encore for the classic anthem “The Tower” from their 1975 self titled debut “Angel.” They enlisted the help of another fellow Angel alumni, none other than the man himself, the legendary Gregg Giuffria, marking the first time in close to 37 years that all three members played together Live, raising the roof off of Count Vamp’d with the loud thunderous applause of the jaw dropped crowd! I loved the HUGE smile of keyboardist Charlie Calv, as he enjoyed one of his hero’s taking command of his keyboards. It suddenly felt like the 70’s again and magic was in the air as Gregg’s haunting notes of this timeless classic filled the room and everyone was standing to this historic moment in rocking approval and making this fan’s dream come true.

I would like to thank Punky, Frank, Danny, Steve, Billy, and Charlie for their gracious hospitality at the Meet & Greet and a BIG shout out to Danny for making it possible to meet Gregg. I am eternally grateful for everything brother, thank you so much! Last, but not least, thank you to Leah Burlington for your kindness and for taking my photo with Gregg, YOU ROCK! I was happy just meeting him but you gave me a keepsake I will always treasure, many thanks to you for taking the photo.

What makes a person from Maryland get up at 1:30 am to be on the road at 2am, drive 3 hours to the airport, to be 3 hours before a scheduled 8:30am for a 5 hour flight? The love of this band, that’s why. They’re great! I encourage everyone to go out and see the guys on this tour as well as help support live music. Having seen the band Live twice now, once in New Jersey, and now again here in Vegas it was sad to see it all come to an end, but there’s still a silver lining… See ya next month in Nashville.